By: Troy MacNeill

ORLANDO, Fla. – Seventeen-year-old Emma Brune takes the court like any other young athlete would. She has her mind set on winning, doing her absolute best, putting her team in a position to compete. You would never know it just by looking at her, but Emma has to deal with an extra challenge – she is blind in her right eye.
 
Emma Brune plays for Show Me Volleyball Academy out of Missouri. She has been playing the sport since she was in the fourth grade. Emma has always been active, as she grew up running around playing soccer, basketball, and eventually she would realize that volleyball was her sport.
 
“When I was a little kid I was always running, always playing a sport,” Emma said. “I just couldn’t sit still.”
 
She seemed like any of the other kids growing up. But there was one thing that made her story special. Emma was diagnosed with unilateral retinoblastoma at just six months old. The plan was to remove her eye due to the amount and size of the tumors in her right eye. But after going into the room for surgery, it seemed as though a prayer was answered.
 
“The ophthalmologist came out to the waiting room and told us somehow the tumors seemed smaller and he suggested we start with chemotherapy to see if that worked on the tumors first,” Sarah Brune, Emma’s mother said. “We definitely feel as though this was through the Power of prayer!”
 


Emma began doing chemotherapy, cryo therapy, and laser therapy. By the time she was 18 months old, the tumors were dead. Because tumors turn to calcium when dead, it’s like Emma has tiny little rocks in her eye blocking her vision. But nothing was going to make her sit still.
 
Retinoblastoma is a rare childhood cancer that arises from immature retinal cells in one or both eyes. It is most common in children younger than five years old. Emma has had over a dozen eye exams and surgeries. Over the first 5 years of Emma‘s life, she underwent multiple exams and surgeries under anesthesia. After, besides her yearly checkups with the ophthalmologist and her oncology team for Late Effects, she has had multiple surgeries on her eye muscles to help keep the eye from wandering. She has had surgery four times to strengthen the muscles and is set to go in again in the near future.  
 
“I always say she was the healthiest sick kid you’ve ever seen,” Sarah Brune said. “Even when going through so much, she was always full of energy and pushed on. Seldom did the chemo, or anything else slow her down.”
 
Emma has only ever known how to live with this limited eyesight. She has lived a normal life, facing challenges and relying on the support of her teammates and family as the motivation to help. On the court, Emma knows her teammates and coaches have her back.
 
“When I play, I can’t see who’s on the right side of me, so I trust my teammates a lot to help me and guide me out there” Emma told me.
 


Off the court, Emma has even more support from her coaches, friends, family, and the community. When she was two years old, Emma’s family began a Relay for Life team. Emma’s Army has been active every year since. Emma’s Army is currently raising funds for the American Cancer Society through the Relay for Life team. Through events, fundraisers, and donations, Emma and her support have been able to give back to the American Cancer Society.
 
Emma and her parents also share her story as often as they can in hopes of helping others that may be in the same situation.
 
“We also make sure to share information about retinoblastoma everywhere possible. When Emma was first diagnosed, we had never heard about retinoblastoma, and social media was limited at that time,” said Sarah Brune. “Now that social media gives us so many platforms, we are always sharing signs and symptoms of this disease for new parents to be aware of.”
 
Emma says that it is important for her to share her story in order to help show that you shouldn’t let anything stop you from reaching your goals.
 
“Don’t be afraid,” Emma said. “Just because you have something that sets you back doesn’t mean you can’t be the best that you can.”
 


Emma is a competitor in the truest form. She loves getting on the court, the field, wherever it may be. She loves the opportunity. She thanks her family for motivating her and pushing her to be her best every day. But if you were to ask her mom, she didn’t need any extra motivation.
 
“She always gives her best!  Emma is compassionate and competitive,” said Sarah. “She thrives in everything she does, and we couldn’t be more proud of her!”
 
Emma and her family have learned to live one day at a time and focus on being happy and continuing to educate others. Right now, Emma is focused on enjoying life and continuing her journey, perhaps even playing volleyball at the collegiate level.
 
“Emma has never been one to want attention drawn to her,” Sarah Brune said. “She would absolutely tell anyone in her shoes to push on and live your life in the now and not let this minor detail stop you from anything.”
 
Emma proves each day that nothing can stop her from living her life. We are incredibly proud of you and cannot wait to see where the next step in your journey might lead.